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Brazil Serie A Wrap: Ronaldinho inspires Atletico Mineiro

A second-half brace from Ronaldinho has lifted Atletico Mineiro out of the Brazil Serie A relegation zone after a 2-0 win over Gremio.

Mineiro, who finished second last season in Brazil's Serie A, claimed their first victory of the new campaign thanks to Ronaldinho's two goals, moving ahead of Nautico, Ponte Preta, Portuguesa and Santos in the standings.

Ronaldinho slotted a penalty on the hour-mark and then finished off a counter-attack in second-half stoppage time to wrap up the win.

Eighth-placed Gremio, who had yet to lose before Sunday's game, had slightly more possession at Mineiro's Estadio Joaquim Henrique Nogueira but the hosts dominated the shots count.

Mineiro took 14 shots to Gremio's eight with the home side hitting the target 10 times to the visitors' five but the hosts did not open the scoring until the 60th minute when visiting goalkeeper Dida conceded a penalty.

As Mineiro striker Alecsandro burst into the box, Dida dived in feet first to try and knock the ball clear, bringing the 32-year-old forward down and the referee pointed to the spot, before Ronaldinho scored the penalty.

In the 92nd minute, Ronaldinho clinched the three points, following a driving run from Neto Berola, who set up the veteran playmaker to score.

Serie A leaders Coritiba maintained first position in Brazil's top division with a 1-0 victory over Nautico, holding onto a one-goal lead throughout the match following Deivid's first-minute goal, while reigning champions Fluminense overcame a first-half red card to defeat Goias 2-1 thanks to two strikes in the last 10 minutes.

In Criciuma, Flamengo thumped the home side 3-0 with Gabriel scoring the third direct from the corner, while third-placed Botafogo won 2-0 away to Ponte Preta.

Vitoria, who are third, triumphed 3-2 over Atletico PR and Cruzeiro drew 2-2 with Internacional, while in other Serie A results, Vasco da Gama were held to a 1-1 draw by Bahia, while Corinthians and Portuguesa played out a scoreless stalemate.